Pizza is fine on its own, but a perfect slice in the right place? That’s something transcendent. Better than a Friday night movie, better than your favorite sweatpants, and maybe even better than remembering to water your plants. That’s why when we crave that perfect combination of crust, sauce, and cheese, we don’t just order delivery—we go find it. From New York-style to Detroit deep-dish, here are Glendale’s essential pies.
Vito’s Pizza
$ | (623) 930-1644 | WEBSITE
Somewhere between a deep-dish pan and a cast-iron skillet, the excellent Chicago Deep Dish pizza at this Glendale spot has the same substantial heft as a well-worn family cookbook. Together with Vito’s deeply flavorful sauce—made with quality tomatoes and herbs—and the pleasantly sturdy crust, they make for a satisfying meal, especially if you add on the Italian Beef Sandwich that’s piled high with tender meat.
Raffaeles Pizza
$ | (623) 878-7777 | WEBSITE
As the name suggests, this place specializes in pizza, specifically a small pepperoni pizza that’s one of our single favorite things to eat in Glendale. It arrives hot and crispy, with perfectly melted cheese, generous pepperoni slices, and a very tasty sauce on a thin crust. Come here when you’re craving authentic pizza that lives up to its reputation as the best in the area.
Glendale Lou Malnati’s
$$ | (623) 471-6900 | WEBSITE
If more places named themselves after the quality of their food, it would be harder to make dinner plans. But we’d be cool with it if the name matched the pizza as well as it does at Glendale Lou Malnati’s. The deep dish sausage and pepperoni pizza at this Glendale spot is one of the most satisfying things you can eat in the area. And for $58, you’ll get more than enough pizza for one.
Rosati’s Pizza
$$ | (602) 439-3444 | WEBSITE
At Rosati’s Pizza in Glendale, Arizona, families and groups settle into the casual dining area with their go-to pizza orders: Chicago thin crust that hits the spot or the monster pizza piled high with toppings. There are several classic options on the menu, but for your first visit, try the stuffed crust, which has a satisfying crunch and generous fillings tucked inside a perfectly baked crust.
Humble Pie
$ | (623) 580-4300 | WEBSITE
The margarita pizza at this Glendale spot is one of the simplest on this list, but the perfect balance of tomato and mozzarella in each slice keeps things satisfying. The crust is crisp and thin, the fresh basil leaves are fragrant, and if you want to elevate things, utilize the chili oil that’s served alongside. We like to come at happy hour, when you can get the margarita pizza as a $16 special.
Jo Jo’s Pizza & Family Restaurant
$ | (623) 516-7770 | WEBSITE
For years, this welcoming corner spot in Glendale has served pizza with a unique and delicious crust. We like that their pizza is fresh and flavorful enough on its own, and doesn’t need any extra toppings. But if you do like the feeling of adding something, make good use of the wings, sandwiches, and cheesecake that come with every lunch special.
Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante
$$ | (623) 777-1868 | WEBSITE
The pizza options at Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante, a cozy Italian spot in Glendale, rotate seasonally. But if you see the Pizza Margherita on the menu, get it. The simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella will instantly transport you to Naples, and it’s typically served with a perfect, chewy crust that’s blistered just right. In other words, this is a classic pie done flawlessly.
Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza
$ | (623) 825-0048 | WEBSITE
For take-and-bake pizza, there’s no better option than Papa Murphy’s. The stuffed crust is loaded with cheese and toppings. We prefer the classic pepperoni, but you can also build your own with expert guidance. If you’re going to try another option here that doesn’t involve meat, it should be the gluten-free with non-dairy cheese. The crust has just the right crisp from baking at home, with a little bit of garlic from the seasoning blend.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
$ | (623) 466-0383 | WEBSITE
The menu at Hungry Howie’s Pizza is straightforward, but this Glendale spot specializes in classic American pizza, and that’s exactly what you should be ordering here. The pepperoni pizza is the best—it costs $14.99 and comes with a crunchy pepperoni topping and their signature garlic crust. We like to eat it in the clean, bright lobby and make use of the complimentary cheese and spice packets.
Pizza Patrón West Olive Ave.
$ | (623) 435-9191 | WEBSITE
If you visit Pizza Patrón West Olive Ave. with someone, make them sit facing the kitchen. That way, you’ll have the best view of the pizza making. Try it with the signature Carnes pizza, topped with a generous layer of garlic butter on the crust. There are two pizza options of varying styles—get the Carnes to start, then come back for the Veggie. The buffalo wings are cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of crisp. Mr. Joel D.
and his team go above and beyond, ensuring every visit feels welcoming. The prices are good, the service is fast, and the flavors are excellent—it’s a must-visit for pizza lovers.
Venice Pizza
$ | (623) 934-0000 | WEBSITE
The signature dish at this Glendale spot is a thin crust pizza, so don’t be surprised when your slice arrives perfectly crisp. Instead, take that golden-brown triangle and fold it in half like a true local. It’s so sturdy and well-structured that we promise you it will hold all those toppings without any droop. Come here for a quick, casual bite, and ask for extra red pepper flakes on everything.
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (602) 978-0446 | WEBSITE
There’s exactly one thing you need to order at this clean, walk-up pizza spot at Bell and 61st Ave, and it’s right there in the name. Little Caesars Pizza is a stuffed crust virtuoso. Their thin crust tastes like the perfect foundation for pizza, with marinara sauce that helps elevate all the cheese and toppings.
Lucky’s Pizza
$ | (623) 878-7888 | WEBSITE
If everything feels like it’s too much, maybe you just need a Friday night at Lucky’s Pizza. Everyone in the family-friendly dining room has a great big slice of NY style pizza in front of them, and each slice releases that signature aroma of crispy crust and tangy sauce into the warm, welcoming space as if this were a pizza sanctuary.
Grab a booth for dinner, and on your first visit try the well-done pepperoni pizza, which has their signature thin, crispy crust, flavorful sauce with just the right tang, and a generous layer of perfectly crisped pepperoni.
Streets of New York
$ | (623) 572-9887 | WEBSITE
You will feel like an extremely lucky person to be eating any of the pizzas at Streets of New York. But the New York Combo Pizza at this Glendale spot is the one that keeps us coming back. It’s packed with robust flavors, fresh ingredients, and could be shared with a group. We recommend you hoard as much of it for yourself as you can.
Fired Pie
$ | (623) 533-4056 | WEBSITE
While we do enjoy the pizza at this Glendale pizzeria, the real MVP is the cauliflower tahina dish. This appetizer is a little creamy and a little tangy, with some tahini, roasted cauliflower, and lemon to round things out. Fired Pie is an extremely casual spot with a serious takeout operation, and you probably aren’t going to spend more than $25 on a meal here.
MOD Pizza
$ | (602) 476-5575 | WEBSITE
The oven-fired pizza at MOD Pizza in Glendale comes with a crispy cauliflower crust, perfectly melted cheese, and fresh toppings—a three-part harmony that could make a traditional pie tremble. The frozen stuff just doesn’t compare.
Submarino’s Pizzeria
$ | (623) 931-3767 | WEBSITE
Submarino’s Pizzeria is a relaxed, authentic Italian spot that’s open from lunch through dinner, making it more dependable than most weekend plans. Our absolute favorite thing here is the calzone, a stuffed pizza pocket with perfect texture and marinara sauce that complements it beautifully. The golden-brown crust also has a bunch of other great things inside it, like melted mozzarella, savory fillings, and just the right amount of seasoning.
Pizza Old Roma
$ | (623) 934-7896 | WEBSITE
When Pizza Old Roma opened in Old Town Glendale, they made pizza, and only pizza. And though they have other things now, like hot wings and mozzarella sticks, their greatest hit still remains. All you’ll need to do is choose between pepperoni or plain, and then wait for your big crispy slice, with a golden crust that shatters with each bite, and generous toppings hiding under a blanket of melted cheese.
Luna Pizza
$ | (623) 934-2122 | WEBSITE
We cherish the day we discovered this family-owned pizza spot. The authentic Italian-style pizza starts off hot, becomes cheesy, and finishes off satisfying like a classic comfort film on a cozy evening. There are generous portions and lots of crispy wings alongside this foundation of genuine flavor, and while we like the classic pepperoni pie, you can also explore their full menu of options.
IL Primo Pizza & Wings
$ | (602) 439-1333 | WEBSITE
Crowds don’t matter, but if they did, the weekend rush at this pizza joint in Glendale would prove it. The classic pizza is a carnivore’s delight with pepperoni, sausage, and meatballs that hold up beautifully as leftovers. The crust itself is crisp and chewy with just a hint of char, but if you’re looking to elevate your meal for the next few bites, try the Philly steak and fries (with a great deal of enthusiasm).